Adjustable escutcheon



March 2 1926.

J. GOODMAN ADJUSTABLE ESGUTCHEON Filed May 25 1925 Fig. 52. @27.5. 29 my. 6

la Z9 i" Z6 Fig/1: F193. fig/a 4Z z5 301 ArToRNEYs.

Patented Mar. 2, 1926.

UNITED STATES PAT' Nr OFFICE.

.TOSEPIl-I GOODMAN, OF WHITNEYVILLE, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNGR lTO THE .il/IT. CAR- MEL MANUFACTURING COMPANY, 0F IVIOUNT CARMEL, CONNECTICUT, A CORPORA Trou on GONNECTLCUT.

ADJUSTABLE ESCUTCHEON.

Application filed May 25,1925.` Serial No. 32,605.

To all iii/1.0m t may concern.'

Be it known that I, loser-H GoonMAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at liVhitneyville, county of New Haven, State of Connecticut, have invented a new and useful Adjustable Escutcheon, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to door handles, and especially to the type of door operating handles used on automobiles, and has for an object to provide an improved and simple construction which will allow for angular adjustment of the escutchccn on the shank of the handle, so that when applied to the door it will lie flush with the surface thereof regardless of the angle at which Vthe spindle extends through the door With the foregoing and other objects in view, l have devised the construction illustrated in the accompanying drawing forming-a part of this specilication, similar reference characters being eriployed throughout the various figures to indicate corresponding elements.V In this drawing,

F ig. 1 is a transverse section through a portion of a door showing my improved handle attached thereto, the handle being shown in elevation.

Fig. 2 is a tri-insverse section substantially on line 2 of Fig. 1.

Fig, 3 is an edge elevation of the type of washer used in the construction of Fig. 1.

Fig. 1t is a bottom plan view thereof,

Fig. 5 is a rear elevation ofthe escutcheon shown in Fig. 1.

F 6 is a transverse section thereof substantially on line 6 6 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is arsection through theescutcheon showing a portion of the shank and handle in elevation, and showing a slightly different construction of the connection between the shank and the escutcheon.

Fig. 8 is a section through the construction of Fig. 7 taken substantially at right angles to the plane of the section of Fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is a side elevation of the washer used in Figs. 7 and 8.

Fig. 10 is a'plan View thereof,

Fig. 11 is a view similar to Fig. e showing a slightly different construction.

Fig. 12 is a side elevation of the washer used in Fig. 11. f

Fig. 13 is a plan view thereof.

Fig. 14C is a view similar to Fig. 8 showing how my invention may be applied to a sheet metal escutcheon, vand Fig. 15 is a rear elevation thereof.

Referring tothe device shown in Figs.

`1 to 6 inclusive,'16 represents the door of an automobile having any desired form of latch, not shown which is operated by a handle 17 on the outside of the door. Connected with this handle is a spindle 18 extending through the escutcheon 19 and 'includes the usual square portion 2() which extends into the latch mechanism.` in the usual and well-known manner. The escutcheon is secured to the door by suitable screws 21. It very often happensthat the outer surface of the ldoor is not at right angles to the axis of thespindle when it is applied to the latch in the proper position for operating the same. Therefore, if the escutcheon is rigid on the spindle either it will not lie flush with the surface of the door or the spindle will be cramped in the latch mechanism. To obviate this objection I have provided an improved connection between the escutcheon and the spindle which will allow the escutcheon to rock in any direction on the spindle and will, therefore, lie flush with the surface of the door no matter how this door may be shaped.

rlhe escutcheon is provided with an open-L ing 22 through which the` spindle extends and this opening is of a greater diameter than the spindle to allow clearance for the rocking movement of the escutcheon. There is a pair of spaced abutments on this spindle between which the escutcheon is located. rlhe outer abutment 23 may be a shoulder formed on the spindle or may be formed in a separate element 24. as in the present construction, and the inner surface 23 of this velement is concave to lit the convex surface on the outward extension of the escutcheon 26. 4 The abutment on the opposite side of the escutcheon is -formedby the ring member 27 which may be secured to the spindle in any suitable manner desired. A. convenient means is by soldering it to the spindle. Between this abutment and the escutcheon is a member 28 which has pivotal connection with the escutcheon on opposite sides of the spindle about which the escutcheon may rock in one plane, and

this member 28 also has pivotal connection with the abutment-27 on opposite sides of this spindle, but intermediate the pivotal connections with the escutcheon, about which the escutcheon may rock in another plane. For best results these two pairs of pivotal connections are located in planes at substantially righi; angles toeach other. By this arrangement the escutcheon may rock not only in the planes ofthe pivotal connections but also in the intermediate planes so that this escutcheon has universal angular adjustment onthe spindle and may assume a position corresponding to the inclined surface of the door.

These pivotal connections in different planes may be provided in anumber of different ways. In Fig. 1 the member 28 comprises a washer bent laterally or offset at four points spaced substantially ninety degrecs apart to form diametrically positioned lugs 29 and 30. Two of these lugs are spaced laterally from the plane of the other two, or in other words, two opposite lugs are offset at a greater distance than the other pair so that when placed .in position thev pair which is the more offset, as 29, will engage the surface of the stop or ring 27, but the 'other ypair 30 `will be spaced from this surface as shown in Fig. G, and therefore, this member 28 can rock about the lugs 29 as pivots. .ln this particular construction the escutcheon is provided with a pair of lugs 31 seated in the concave sides of the lugs 30, as shown in Fig. 6, and these lugs are of such a length that the escutcheon is spaced from the body portion of the member 28 and may rock about the pivots formed by the lugs 31. The lugs 31 and 30 are arranged intermediate the lugs 29, preferably the line joining them being at right angles to the line joining the lugs 29. It

will be apparent from this construction that the escutcheon may rock about the pivots 30-31 lin one plane and about the pivots 29 in another plane disposed at an angle to the first plane, in the present construction substantially at the right angles, and by rccling about both set of pivots simultaneously it can rock in a plane at any intermediate angle, so that the escutcheon may rock in any plane transverse to the spindle and will have practically universal adjustment thereon.v f

This construction may also be used wit-h a locking mechanism for locking the handle and spindle against turning. For this purpose the escutcheon may be provided with va plurality of notches 32 and there may be a laterally sliding bolt 33 ymounted in the spindle with a lrey controlled cylinder 34 connected to this bolt for sliding it in and out in the spindle and projecting itsvfree end intoone of the notches 32'to lock the spindle, or retracting it therefrom to unlock it, as will be obvious. The keyhole or slot leading to the cylinder 34: is exposed on the outer surface of the handle.

The construction shown in Figs. .7 and 8 is the same as that shown in Figs. 1 to- 6 as far as the rocking movement of the escutcheon is concerned except that it is reversed. In this arrangement the lugs 29 having the greater offset rest against and pivot on the shoulder 35 of the escutcheon 36, while the lugs 37 corresponding to the lugs 31 on the escutcheon in the first form are located en a collar 38 forming an abutment on the spindle and these lugs 37 are seatedin the concave sides of the lugs 30 The effectfand operation is the same as in the `first form, the escutcheon rocking about the lugs 429 in one plane and about the lugs 37 in another plane, and by rocking about both of them it may rock in any intermediate plane, the same as in the first form. '.he collar 38 isk prevented from sliding longitudinally on the spindle 18 by any suitable means such as ring 39 soldered to the spindle. ln this particular construction, hcwever, the lugs 29 and 30 are not offset different amounts but are offset practically the same amount,'while the shoulder 35 of the escutcheon is provided with two sets of notches 4.0 and 41, in which notches l0 the lugs 2e are seated. The lugs 30 extend into notches il but these notches are deeper than the notches 4l() to allow for the rocking movement of the member 28. The collar 38 may turn relative to the spindle and therefore, when the spindle is turned in the escutcheon the member 28 and the collar will be held stationary by the notches l-O and the lugs 37. It will, of course, be

apparent that as the escutcheon rocks about 1 these pivots the eovex surface 25 will slide in the concave surface 23, and to yfacilitate this movement these surfaces are preferably made spherical.

In figs. 11, 12vand 13, I have shown a Aslightly different arrangement. ln this form the escutcheon has an annul-ar shoulder l2 on the opposite side from the curved surface 25, and the inner abutment 1s formed by .a ring d3, the same as the ring 37 in the first form. The intermediate member 44:, however, instead ofhaving the four lugs or offsets extending laterally from the body portion thereof in the saine direction has two diametrically arranged lugs or offsets 45 extending laterally to one side and two diametrically arranged lugs or offsets 4-6 extending laterally from the opposite side and intermediate thefiirst two lugs or offsets. The oset's l5 engage the shoulder l2 on the escutcheon and the escutcheoi'i may, therefore, rock on thesetwo offsets. The yolfsets 16 engage the abutment or shoulder formed by the ringd-B" and the member may,

y therefore, rock on this ring about these lugs or offsets as pivots, but in a plane atan angle to the plane in which the escutcheon rocks about the lugs or offsets 45. The effect, however, is the same as in the first case and the escutcheon may rock about the spindle in any plane desired.

In Figs. 14 and 15, I have shown this invention arranged for use with an escutcheon made of sheet metal. In this form the escutcheon 47 is stamped from sheet metal and is laterally offset to form a flange 4S convex on its outer surface vto engage the concave surface or abutment 49 on the 'spindlef A fiat washer V50 engages the opposite side of the escutcheon to form a shoulder corresponding to the shoulder 42 of the escutcheon shown in Fig. 11, and the intermediate member' 44 is of the same construction and arrangement as that shown in Figs. 11, 12 and 13. The lugs or oii'set 45 on this member engage the washer or plate 50 so that the escutcheon may rock onh these lugs or offsets and the lugs or offsets 46 engage the ring 51, the same as in the form shown in Fig. 11, so that the escutcheon and the member 44 may rock on these lugs or oE-sets as pivots, the ring 51 being secured to the spindle by soldering or` any other suitable means. It will be noted that the operation in this form is the saine as in the other form and the washer or plate 50 is in effect a part of the escutcheon and has the same effect as if it were actually a part of the escutcheon. In fact, it could be soldered to the escutcheon in which case it wouldbe in one piece therewith. Y

It will be apparent from the foregoing description that with this construction I am enabled toi secure a universal angular adjustment of the escutcheon on the handle and spindle, and that I secure this adjustment with an extremely simple construction requiring a minimum number of paits. It can, therefore, be manufactured at relatively low cost and is easily assembled, and is not likely to be easily gotten out of order in operation.

I-Iaving thus set forth the nature of my invention, what I claim is:v

1. In a device of the character described, an escutcheon adapted to be secured to a door and having an outwardly extending flange provided with al convex outer surface, a handle having a spindle extending through said escutcheon, spaced abutments on the spindle one of which engages said convex surface, and means between the other abutment and the escutcheon providing a plurality of spaced pivots between the escutcheon and the abutment located about the spindle to allow universal angular' adjustment of the escutcheon.

2. In a device of the character described, an escutcheon adapted to be secured to a door and having an outwardly extending' flange provided with a convex outer surface, a handle 'having a spindle extending through said escutcheon, spaced abutments on the spindle one of which engages said convex surface, and means between the other abutment and the escutcheon having pivotal connection with the escutcheon in one plane and also pivotal connection with theabutment in another plane at an angle to the plane of the iirst pivot.

3. In a device of the'eharacter described, a door handle having a spindle, spaced abutments on said spindle, an escutcheon between said abutments having engagement with one of the abutments, and means between the escutcheon and the other abutment having rocking engagement with the escutcheon in one plane and rocking engagement with the abutment in another plane atan angle to the first plane.

4. In a device of the character described, a door handle having a spindle, spaced abutments on said spindle, an escutcheon between said abutments having engagement with one of the abutments, and means between the escutcheon and the other abutment having pivot `bearings with the escutcheon on opposite sides of the spindle and pivotbearings with the abutment on opposite sides of the spindle in a plane at substantially right angles to the plane of the first pivots.

5. In a device of the character described, a doorhandle having a spindle, spaced abut- .ments on said spindle, an escutcheon between said abutments having engagement with oneV of the abutments, and a washer between the escutcheon and the other abutment, said washer havingspaced pivot bearings with the escutcheon on opposite sides of the spindle and also spaced pivot bearings with the abutment on opposite sides of the spindle intermediate the first bearings.

6. In a device of the character described, an escutcheon adapted to be secured to a door and havingan outwardly extending flange provided with a convex outer surface, va handle having a spindle extending through saidy escutcheon, spaced abutments on the spindle one of which engages said convex surface, and a washer between the escutcheon and the other abutment having spaced pivotal connections with theescutcheon on opposite sides of the spindle and also spaced pivotal connections witlrthe abutment on opposite sides of the spindle intern'iediatel the first pivotal connections.

7. In a device of the character described, a door handle having a spindle, spaced abutments on said spindle, an escutcheon between said abutments having engagement with one of' the abutments, and Vmeans between the escutcheon and the other abutment providing spaced pivots between the escutcheon and the abutment located about the spindle to allow angular adjustment of the loo eseutche'on in a plurality of different planes.

8. In combinatioii, an lescutche'on .adapted to be secured to a door, afl-atcb 'operating handle having a spindle `extending through the escutcheon, abutments on the spindle on opposite sides of the escutch'eon,oneotl said abutments being concave and the escutchcon having a convex surface in engagement therewith, and a member between the escutcheon and the other abutment,said member having rocliz'ing Iconnections with the escutcheon on opposite sides oi the spindle'and also rocking,connections with the abutment on oppositesides ot' the Aspindle but intermediate the lirst connections.

9. In combination, an escut'cheon adapted to be secured to a door, alatch operating handle having a spindle extending through the eseuteheon, abutments on the spindle on opposite sides of the escutcheon, one of said abutments being concave and the escutcheon having convex siniface in engagement therewith, and member between the `escutchcon and the other abutment, said member having spaced pivotal 'engagement with the escutcheo'n on opposite sides of the spindle about which the esc'iitcheon may rock in one plane and spaced pivotal engagement with the abutment intermediate those with the escu'teheon about which the ese'iitcheon may rock in another plane.

lt). In a device oit the 'character described, a door handle having a spindle, spaced abntments on said spindle, an 'escutcheo'nbetween said abutments having engagement with one of the abutments, and a washer between the escutcheon vand the other abutment, said washer being Aprovided with two pairs of spaced laterally extending projections forming pivot-al connections with the escutcheon and abutmentn 'about which the escutcheon may rock -in different planes.

ll. In a device oli the character described, a door handle having a spindle, spaced abutments on said spindle, an es'cutcheon between said ab'utments having engagement with one of the abutments, a member between the escutcheon and the other abutment, said member having a pair of diametric'ally positioned lugs-extending from one side thereof to engage the abutment to iiorm pivots aboutwhich the member may rock, said member being also provided with recesses on the other side intermediate the lugs, and projections on the escu'tcheon seated in said recesses and forming pivots about which the escutcheon `1na`y lrock.

plane, said was-lier being also provided with recesses on its opposite side intermedi-ate the lugs, and projections on 'the other mein'- ybers seated in said recesses and torining pivots about which the cscutcheon may rockin a plane located at an angle to the first plane.

13. In a deviceol' the character described, a 'door handle having a spindle, spaced abutments "on said spindle, `an escutcheon bet\veen said abutments having engagement with one ot the abutments, means between the esentchoon and the other abutment having Apivotal connection with the escutcheon in one plane and pivotal connection with the abutment in another plane locatedat an angle to the iirst plane, a movable locking bolt kcarried byy the spindle, hey controlled means tor operating the bolt, and means on the eseutcheon to cooperate with the bolt to loc-lr the spindle against turning movement. e

lll. In afdevice of the character described, a door handle having a spindle, spaced. abutments on said spindle, an escutcheon Vbetween said abutments having engagement with one 01 the abutments, a member between the escutcheon and the other abutment, said member having a pair of diametrically positioned lugs extending from one side thereof to engage the abutment to form pivots aboutwhich the member. may rock,

said member being also provided with recesses `on the other Vside intermediate the lugs, projections on the eseutcheon seated in said recesses and forming pivots about which the escutcheon may roch, a transversely movable locking bolt mounted inthe spindle, and key controlled means in the spindle for operating the bolt, said escutoheon being provided with recesses to receive the end of the bolt to loc-lr the spindle against turning movement.

In testimony whereof I al'tix my signature.

V.iosnrn eooDiviaN. 

